Zelensky’s Berlin Trip Heralds Thaw in Relationship With Germany
Wall Street JournalNov 25, 2022
The Facts
Despite assurances to Western countries that Ukraine wouldn't use its weapons shipments to attack territory inside Russia, Ukrainian Pres. Volodymyr Zelenskyy reportedly pushed for such attacks in private talks, going as far as proposing that Ukraine attempt to occupy Russian border cities to give it leverage in later negotiations. The revelations were reportedly leaked on the messaging platform Discord.
Zelenskyy's proposals come from US intelligence documents, reported on by the Washington Post as part of its continued coverage of the trove of leaked Pentagon documents that surfaced earlier this year.
The Spin
Pro-establishment narrative
Ukraine has no intention of striking Russian territory. It's busy trying to de-occupy Ukrainian land — illegally invaded by the Kremlin — and that is Ukraine's only priority.
Establishment-critical narrative
Despite Zelenskyy's pledges not to attack Russia, US intelligence documents show that in private talks, he at least considered the idea on more than one occasion.
